2005 Conference Sessions
Sessions: Genetic Panel Discussion | Electronic ID | Hereford Verified | Strategic Plan
Genetic Panel Discussion
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New opportunities in genomics was the focus of the genetic panel kicking off the second annual Young Guns Conference August 26 at the Meat Animal Research Center (MARC), Clay Center, Neb.
Larry Cundiff of the Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) said that the effect of heterosis today is the same as it was 40 years ago. He also explained that British breeds, including Hereford, have added growth and today there's not much difference between Continental and British genetics.
Cundiff encouraged producers to pay attention to birth weight but not to giving up post-weaning growth in the process. He also emphasized the importance of increasing marbling with less outside fat.
Another MARC scientist Mark Thallman discussed how producers should select genomic tests, which animals to test and how producers and breed associations will benefit from the practice. He encouraged producers to collect the data and in return associations investigate utilizing the data in national cattle evaluations.
Two former Hereford junior members wrapped up the panel. Mark Allan, MARC scientist, discussed reproduction and feed efficiency. He also encouraged producers to collect tissue (DNA material) when collecting phenotypes and store the material until needed.
Dan Moser, Kansas State University, discussed validation and use of DNA markers. He explained how the industry is in the process of validating marker tests and the next step is assessment -- studying the effects of markers on other traits.
Following the individual presentations, a question-and-answer session wrapped up the discussion. Click the links below to download audio archives of the presentations as well as PDF files of the power point presentations. In the next week video archives will be posted.
Downloads:
| PowerPoint Presentation (Adobe Reader required) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Larry Cundiff | 448KB | Download | |
| Mark Thallman | 1.23MB | Download | |
| Mark Allan | 429KB | Download | |
| Dan Moser | 846KB | Download | |
| Audio | |||
| Larry Cundiff | 1.63MB | MP3 | Download |
| Mark Thallman | 1.68MB | MP3 | Download |
| Mark Allan | 1.61MB | MP3 | Download |
| Dan Moser | 2.33MB | MP3 | Download |
| Q&A | 6.66MB | MP3 | Download |
| Video (QuickTime required) | |||
| Larry Cundiff | 18.85MB | MOV | Download |
| Mark Thallman | 16.50MB | MOV | Download |
| Mark Allan | 14.88MB | MOV | Download |
| Dan Moser | 21.03MB | MOV | Download |
| Q&A 1-3 | 16.32MB | MOV | Download |
| Q&A 4-6 | 22.86MB | MOV | Download |
| Q&A 7-9 | 14.62MB | MOV | Download |
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Electronic ID—The critical link in animal management.
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Gallagher Animal Management Solutions is in the business of developing practical applications for technology in the beef industry that improves the producer's bottom line and at the same time improves their quality of life. Erwin Quinn, president of Gallagher, opened up their portion of the program by giving a overview of the company and explaining some practical functions Gallagher has developed to make life easier on the farm and ranch from electric fence, to scales and scale heads and electronic identification (EID) readers.
At registration, Young Guns were each given an EID tag and throughout the conference the tags were scanned to show how the individual information is saved in the system. In Quinn's presentation he focused on the EID tag and the practical applications producers can do with the tag to gather, store and transfer useful management information. He emphasized that it is a unique number and is a permanent and tamper proof device. With proper location and application, the tag adds value to the animal.
Todd Mach who works in Gallagher's marketing department and Jack Ward, AHA's director of breed improvement, explained the working relationship that is in place between AHA and Gallagher and the system that has been developed for Hereford producers to accommodate information flow from the Gallagher scale technology to the AHA headquarters. Mach demonstrated the scales and 700 scale head series that has been tailored for AHA members to collect data and transfer it from the chute to the Hereford database. He talked about the information that producers can record in the computer system and how it can be customized to each individual program.
Mach and Quinn answered questions about the new technology and explained new products and ideas that are on the horizon and being tested and developed at Gallagher. Thanks to Gallagher Animal Solutions for their generous sponsorship to the Young Guns Conference. Attendees left with a greater understanding of how to incorporate an EID program in their operations and how they would benefit from the technology.
Downloads:
| Audio | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Erwin Quinn | 2.09MB | MP3 | Download |
| Todd Mach | 2.33MB | MP3 | Download |
| Video (QuickTime required) | |||
| Erwin Quinn | 18.74MB | MOV | Download |
| Todd Mach | 38.40MB | MOV | Download |
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Hereford Verified
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True merit and true value back to the producers with little risk is what the Hereford Verified program will provide Hereford breeders and their customers, explained Jim Williams, Certified Hereford Beef (CHB) LLC vice president of supply, during the Friday afternoon session of the Young Guns conference.
The American Hereford Association (AHA) and CHB LLC's new source verification program brings together all facets of the beef supply chain. Hereford Verified creates an open market, reliable supply of Certified Hereford Beef-eligible cattle and pays real premiums to program participants.
The program has two levels of involvement: the Yellow Tag program that tracks genetic, source and age, and the Green Tag program that only accounts for source and age. Green Tag program participants qualify for $2-3 head bonus while the participants in the Yellow Tag program enjoy $2-6 per head.
All Hereford Verified program participants qualify for direct marketing to CHB LLC preferred feeders; receive carcass performance data and benchmarking; obtain feedlot performance data and benchmarking; and have the option of individual carcass data at a discounted price.
On a per lot basis, producers will automatically receive a benchmarking report with health cost, ADG, feed conversion and dressing percentage. For $2/head, producers have the option to purchase individual hot carcass weight, quality and yield grade and individual animal RFID. Detailed data will be provided for $4/head and also provides individual carcass measurements and individual percent retail product.
For more information about the program see the downloads below, visit www.herefordverified.com or call (816) 842-3758.
Downloads:
| Articles (Adobe Reader required) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hereford World | 229KB | Download | |
| PowerPoint Presentation (Adobe Reader required) | |||
| Jim Williams | 3.33MB | Download | |
| Audio | |||
| Jim Williams | 2.07MB | MP3 | Download |
| Video (QuickTime required) | |||
| Jim Williams | 25.85MB | MOV | Download |
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Going forward with the AHA's New Strategic Plan
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Agribusiness and food industry organizations can choose to respond to change in two ways, explained Craig Huffhines, American Hereford Association (AHA) executive vice president. "They can choose to deny, delay and die. Or define, decide and deliver."
Huffhines said the AHA is working to meet the needs of a changing industry. In April the AHA Board along with other industry visionaries developed seven core strategies that will serve as priorities for the Association for the next five years. To view the strategies download the presentation linked below.
He also explained three groups surveyed prior to the strategic planning session. "We collected a great deal of knowledge about the perception of our product and the perception of our breed and where we are headed," Huffhines explained.
He concluded his presentation explaining the priority initiatives including the eight breed improvement research projects currently underway.
Prior to Huffhines' presentation, John Loewen, Certified Hereford Beef (CHB) LLC board president, gave an update on CHB activities and goals. Following Huffhines, Jack Holden, AHA president, wrapped up the afternoon session summarizing the strategic plan.
"It's an aggressive plan but we're shooting for the stars," Holden said. "To take Herefords back to where they belong and get back to the top. The opportunity is there for us as a breed."
Downloads:
| PowerPoint Presentation (Adobe Reader required) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Craig Huffhines | 1.55MB | Download | |
| Audio | |||
| John Loewen | 1.09MB | MP3 | Download |
| Craig Huffhines | 2.63MB | MP3 | Download |
| Jack Holden | 487KB | MP3 | Download |
| Video (QuickTime required) | |||
| John Loewen | 8.99MB | MOV | Download |
| Craig Huffhines | 28.50MB | MOV | Download |
| Jack Holden | 4.56MB | MOV | Download |
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Adobe Reader® is required to view PDF files. If you don't have Adobe Reader, click "Get Adobe Reader" to download the latest version. |
|
QuickTime is required to view video files. If you don't have QuickTime, click "Download QuickTime" to download the latest version. |
For questions or more information, contact Amy Cowan at (816) 842-3757 or